Meta is taking a big gamble with its secretive humanoid robot 'Metabot,' and is reportedly planning to strengthen its influence through 'licensing.'
Meta's chief technology officer recently spoke about the company's vision for the future: 'We want to become a software platform that can be licensed to other hardware manufacturers. The aim is to build software that can be used by many manufacturers, similar to Android.'
Humanoid robots are Meta's next 'AR-size bet'
Humanoid robots are Meta's next 'AR-size bet' | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/column/786759/humanoid-robots-meta
Meta wants to become the Android of robotics
https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-wants-to-become-the-android-of-robotics-220701800.html
On September 18, 2025, Meta announced the second generation model of its new AI glasses, 'Ray-Ban Meta,' developed in collaboration with Ray-Ban. This brought a breath of fresh air to the field of 'AR (Augmented Reality),' which brings unprecedented information to the real world.
Meta announces the second generation model of AI glasses 'Ray-Ban Meta' and 'Meta Ray-Ban Display' - GIGAZINE
The Meta Ray-Ban Display, a high-performance smartglasses announced on the same day, comes with a dedicated wristband called the Neural Band, which allows users to manipulate information in a virtual environment by wearing it and moving their hands in the air.
Meta on the future of their Ray-Ban display and Neural Band - YouTube
Meta is known for developing hardware such as the VR headset 'Meta Quest,' and at first glance it seems to be focusing on hardware. However, in recent years, Meta has been working on humanoid robots, and executives have revealed that they want to go beyond hardware manufacturing and have a major influence on the software side as well.
According to Andrew Bosworth, chief technology officer at Meta, who was interviewed by the technology media 'Sources,' while hardware development is generally not a particular barrier to the development of humanoid robots, software is the bottleneck, making it difficult to make them perform simple movements for humans.
Meta is building a humanoid robot called 'Metabot,' but Bosworth envisions licensing its software platform to other companies, rather than focusing on becoming a hardware manufacturer. This would allow any company to use the software blueprints developed by Meta, accelerating software development and eliminating bottlenecks.
Bosworth called the development of humanoid robots 'a gamble on the level of AR today,' suggesting that the company plans to invest billions of dollars (approximately several hundred billion yen).
Specifically, Meta's Superintelligence AI Lab and Robotics Division are collaborating to build a world model capable of running software simulations required for dexterous hand movements.
In the past, Meta has been reported to be considering developing a robot that can perform household tasks such as cleaning and folding laundry.
Meta to start full-scale development of AI-equipped humanoid robots, forming a core technology development team within Reality Labs focusing mainly on 'housework' - GIGAZINE
Bosworth also praised Kim Sang-bae, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate who joined the robotics department, calling him 'the best tactical robotics expert in the industry today.' He also revealed how he persuaded Yoo Jin-seong, a senior engineer who designed the software for the prototype AR glasses 'Orion,' to give up retirement and join the team, adding, 'The real reason for our success is the talent we have recruited.'
Meta isn't the only company working in the robotics field. Apple is also reportedly developing a 'mobile robot that will help users with household chores,' though details are unknown. Some believe robotics could be the next big investment after AI.
Apple is reportedly considering developing a home robot - GIGAZINE
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